MSU Gymnastics Finishes Fourth at NCAA Regional Final

The Michigan State gymnastics team's season came to an end at the NCAA Regional Finals after finishing with the most wins in program history.

Michigan State's Elle Beaufait competes in the floor event on Friday, Feb. 9, 2024, during the / Nick King/Lansing State Journal / USA

The Michigan State gymnastics team advanced to their third consecutive regional final. However,  their season ended with a fourth-place finish Sunday in the NCAA Gainesville Regional Final. With a season record of 29-7, MSU’s gymnastics team finished the best season in program history.

The top teams that finish in the top two of the regional finals move on to the championship round. With scores of 198.325 and 197.575, respectively, Florida and Utah advanced to the NCAA Championships. Missouri finished with a 197.325, good enough for third place, while MSU finished fourth with a 196.650.

The Spartans started strong. Sophomore Sage Kellerman recorded an impressive 9.975 in the anchor position. Two others from MSU stuck their vaults: Sophomore Olivia Zsarmani scored a 9.950, and Junior Skyla Schulte earned a 9.850. Both MaKayla Tucker and junior Gabrielle Stephen posted scores of 9.825, respectively. 

After the first rotation, the Florida Gators' vault score of 49.600 gave them the lead. Missouri finished right behind them with a 49.525, and MSU followed with a third-place finish.

Utah would take a slight  98.450-98.425 over MSU in the second rotation after a pair of 9.850s from senior Delanie Harkness and sophomore Nikki Smith. Utah took a narrow 98.450-98.425 lead over MSU, while Florida and Missouri remained in the top two positions.  

In the third rotation, junior Giana Kalefe would lead the Spartans with a 9.900 after she posted a 48.675 on beam. It marked the fifth time this season she has scored a 9.900 or better on the event. The Spartans entered the final rotation with a 147.100. 

The Spartans started strong and finished strong. They’d finish with a 49.550 on the floor. They earned a total of four scores of 9.900 or better. Harkness and Tucker both scored 9.900s, respectively. Smith would finish just behind them with a score of 9.925. In the anchor spot, Schulte posted a 9.950. In the leadoff spot, sophomore Elle Beaufait registered a 9.850. In the third spot, Stephen registered a 9.875.

Smith and Schulte were individual qualifiers for the 2024 NCAA Championships, which will be held on April 18th in Fort Worth, Texas.

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